Fire crews are working several fires in Lane and Linn counties.
Salmon Fire
A new fire was spotted just outside of Oakridge Sunday. The Salmon Fire is burning about five miles east of Oakridge proper in very steep terrain and was estimated to be 40 acres as of the latest update. Air and ground crews are battling that blaze.
With high fire danger across the region, an initial attack fire management team had been pre-positioned in Roseburg to be at-the-ready for new starts and is being brought in Monday. Additional hand crews and a water tender are also heading to the fire.
A Level 1 – BE READY– evacuation notice was issued Monday morning for High Prairie, McFarland Road, Westoak Road, Oakridge north of Roberts Road, and Oakridge east of Salmon Creek, as well as associated side streets. The Lane County evacuation map
will be updated should any new evacuation orders be given for those areas.
Priceboro Fire
The Priceboro Fire that began last Friday eight-miles northeast of Eugene outside of Harrisburg has scorched just over 300 acres and is 45% contained.
The Level 3- Go Now- evacuation notices that were that were issued Friday evening were downgraded Saturday.
Bedrock Fire
The Bedrock Fire continues to burn near Fall Creek, east of Springfield. That fire began July 22 and has burned 12,978 acres. More than 750 personnel are working on the Bedrock Fire, which has reached 5% containment.
Fire managers on the Bedrock Fire say weekend storm cells dropped a quarter of an inch of rain over the fire’s footprint, but warm temperatures contributed to the fire’s spread.
Despite that welcome precipitation, heavy fuels such as logs, stumps, and standing dead trees are still considerably drier than normal and as such, provide more fuel for the fire.
The storm cells brought lightning, which caused a new fire.
Officials say this was quickly put out by Bedrock Fire initial attack crews.
Smoke from these fires is contributing to poor air quality for some communities. An air quality alert remains in effect for areas of Lane County thought at least 5:00 p.m. Monday, while the air quality alert for Bend and vicinity is in effect until further notice.
The causes of each of these fires are still under investigation.
